Tomwasconductedtotheprincipalapartmentofanoblesuite,andmadetositdown--athingwhichhewaslothtodo,sincetherewereelderlymenandmenofhighdegreeabouthim.Hebeggedthemtobeseatedalso,buttheyonlybowedtheirthanksormurmuredthem,andremainedstanding.Hewouldhaveinsisted,buthis'uncle'theEarlofHertfordwhisperedinhisear--"Prithee,insistnot,mylord;itisnotmeetthattheysitinthypresence."TheLordSt.Johnwasannounced,andaftermakingobeisancetoTom,hesaid--